Is life is meaningless for atheists?

[ShieldAxe]

Why do some people think life is meaningless for atheists (and agnostics)? Atheists don't believe the universe was created by an intelligence for a purpose, but why does that make their life meaningless? Why does it make life in general meaningless? I think most atheists believe their life has a purpose, but its a purpose of their own choosing. In general I think most atheists believe their is a general purpose to life and that is to make the world a better place - to leave it better than the way you found it. If an atheist believes this, what are atheists lacking that makes life meaningless?

If you believe god created the universe for a purpose, what is it? Is it so we can worship him? Does worshipping god make life worth living? I don't see why the presence of a god makes anyone think life has more worth. If you suddenly learned there was no god would that make you behave any differently? Would you feel life was worthless?

I feel that if there is a god and he created the universe and us so he can be worshipped, that makes life seem pretty darn meaningless. That's it? We're here so we can pray to him? If we arose because of a random event say, think how special that is. Think how lucky we are to even be here.

[The Persnickety Platypus]

Which implies if you suddenly discovered god was not real, you would start doing bad things.

Exactly.

God is the incentive. The incentive is often more powerful than the selfish instinct.

I think I have ample proof in my statement that athiests are more prone to stray from moral convictions. I am that proof; I see it in my own life firsthand. I have never been as dishonest as I was when I was in my various athiest stages.

[ShieldAxe]

Which implies if you suddenly discovered god was not real, you would start doing bad things.

Exactly.

God is the incentive. The incentive is often more powerful than the selfish instinct.

I think I have ample proof in my statement that athiests are more prone to stray from moral convictions. I am that proof; I see it in my own life firsthand. I have never been as dishonest as I was when I was in my various athiest stages.

Wow. Well I appreciate your honesty. I must say your revelation is quite disheartening. I hope there aren't hordes of people out there that are refraining from evil because of the god/heaven incentive. That's scary. I would rather think good people are just plain good.

I personally feel that i am more honorable and and gernerally feel more inclined to do good at this point in my life than at any time before. And my atheism is more firmly in place now than ever before.

That said I don't think our personal stories imply generalities. What i think they do show is that religion can be an impetus for good but it doesn't have to be present for people to do good.

[Ami]

I hope there aren't hordes of people out there that are refraining from evil because of the god/heaven incentive. That's scary. I would rather think good people are just plain good.

There may very well be some though. And even if there isn't a God/ heaven incentive, people would still do good for a reason, religious or otherwise. I have presumed people have their own reasons for doing good; to get praise, because they don't want to get stuck in jail, or some other potential reward. If it is not something like that, it would be interesting to hear what motives it may be for.

IMO everybody has a reason for doing anything, whether good, bad, or just apparently insane. If there has been any confusion about whether an atheist might do good, though, it is probably stemmed from the lack of knowledge as to why.

[Cephus]

Which implies if you suddenly discovered god was not real, you would start doing bad things.

Exactly.

God is the incentive. The incentive is often more powerful than the selfish instinct.

I think I have ample proof in my statement that athiests are more prone to stray from moral convictions. I am that proof; I see it in my own life firsthand. I have never been as dishonest as I was when I was in my various athiest stages.

Don't you find that rather scary that some Christians have no self-control if not for some big bad sky-daddy watching over you? I've heard this a lot from Christians who claim that if not for God, they'd rape, murder and pillage.

I find this terribly sad that people are so irresponsible for their own lives.

[The Persnickety Platypus]

Humans are rather scary beings. Were it not for certain checks and balances present in the social order I expect the entire world would be in ruins.

Isn't it also scary that many athiests do the very things you mentioned (well, typically actions of a lesser degree, obviously) perhaps because of the lack of a "big father figure" in their lives? Christianity has many faults, but you can't pretend it does not make signifigant changes in many of the people who choose to apply it to their lives.

[ShieldAxe]

Humans are rather scary beings. Were it not for certain checks and balances present in the social order I expect the entire world would be in ruins.

Isn't it also scary that many athiests do the very things you mentioned (well, typically actions of a lesser degree, obviously) perhaps because of the lack of a "big father figure" in their lives?

No its not. I find it more comforting that atheists who are good are not so just because of an outside influence. It is part of their mind set, ingrained in them if you will.

Christianity has many faults, but you can't pretend it does not make signifigant changes in many of the people who choose to apply it to their lives.

I think the same could be said for atheism.

[Ami]

No its not. I find it more comforting that atheists who are good are not so just because of an outside influence. It is part of their mind set, ingrained in them if you will.

Yes there is an outside influence; the do things because of the opinions of others on themselves, they don't want to act outside the norm, they don't want to be stuck in jail, they want their family whom they love to be pleased. If a Christian refuses to do something, it is out of fear of dissapointment from God, yet is an atheist refuses to do something wrong, it is from fear from dissapointment of other people around them. There is very little difference.

It is part of their mind set, ingrained in them if you will.

By their parents and friends.

I find this terribly sad that people are so irresponsible for their own lives.

And yet by the sound of it people seem to claim that if they were a Christian they would automatically murder and pillage. Is this not also irresponsible? Or........ Just for fun.... What if someone considered being a Muslim? Why are people afraid to become one these days, do you think? 8)

I've heard this a lot from Christians who claim that if not for God, they'd rape, murder and pillage

As for that; I don't think it would go so far as rape and pillage. But the thought of God watching someone 24/7 whom they want to please DOES discourage people from doing other crimes when people are tempted to do it. This I have seen. I have also have other people say likewise, and not simply Christians.

And if you think it is better to refuse to do wrong just for the sake of it, because you are "just plain good", then what the hell would you do when you have a reason to do wrong? What if you had the ability to do something and get away with it? What goes through the mind of an atheist when he's tempted?

[The Persnickety Platypus]

No its not. I find it more comforting that atheists who are good are not so just because of an outside influence. It is part of their mind set, ingrained in them if you will.

We all have some influence, as Ami said.

However, let's not generalize the situation more than need be. Plenty of Christians are good by nature as well.

But regardless of all of this, I might go as far as to assert that the percentage of caring Christians is considerately higher than the number of kind athiests. I don't have any mathmatical statistics to back up this statement, but I do have personal experience. I have been around many Christians. I have been around many athiests. The difference is distinct.

That inference is made regarding the kindness and compassion of Christians in general. But what would the percentage of true practicing Christians be? No less than 100%.

Col 3:12
As holy people whom God has chosen and loved, be sympathetic, kind, humble, gentle, and patient.

This commandment is consistant throughout the Bible. A true Christian will heed it.

[ShieldAxe]

No its not. I find it more comforting that atheists who are good are not so just because of an outside influence. It is part of their mind set, ingrained in them if you will.

We all have some influence, as Ami said.

However, let's not generalize the situation more than need be. Plenty of Christians are good by nature as well.

Oh I certanly agree, but you and Ami were arguing the opposite (that Christians are not good by nature but only good because of religious consequence.).

But regardless of all of this, I might go as far as to assert that the percentage of caring Christians is considerately higher than the number of kind athiests. I don't have any mathmatical statistics to back up this statement, but I do have personal experience. I have been around many Christians. I have been around many athiests. The difference is distinct.

I humbly disagree but only have personal experience to support my position as well.

That inference is made regarding the kindness and compassion of Christians in general. But what would the percentage of true practicing Christians be? No less than 100%.

Col 3:12
As holy people whom God has chosen and loved, be sympathetic, kind, humble, gentle, and patient.

This commandment is consistant throughout the Bible. A true Christian will heed it.

'True christian' is a subjective term.

[Cathar1950]

I think this question would best be answered bu Atheist. The question should be:
"Hey you Atheist! Is life meaningless for you?" and then follow up with "Is it meaningless for the rest?".
I think they would be the one's to answer.
Now a good question to believers who believe that flesh is evil and mater is seperate from spirit is:
"How can you say life is meaningful?"